Reasons to Practice: What are you searching for? When you came to Aikido of Austin you came with some purpose in mind. People begin their practice for many reasons and often find that what they get out of Aikido is something they didn't even know they were searching for. What benefits do students of Aikido of Austin find? This is a partial list based on comments they have made: PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL • Improved stamina & endurance • Better self-discipline • Weight loss • Increased ability to see other • Increased lung & heart capacity people's perspective • More energy/more feeling of • Improved relationships at home being alive & work • Balance/focus on center • Greater sense of calmness • Carry over of gracefulness and throughout the day agility into other sports & activities • Increased self-confidence • Spiritual path consistent with SOCIAL one's core beliefs. • Common interest • Feel safer when traveling • Shared activity with spouse or • Fun Student Manual friend • Sense of structure in life • Community of friends (“I know the • Better sense of control other students better than I know • Reduced anger & other aggressive my neighbors.”) feelings • Common interest that can be shared • Calm under attack with the whole family (age five (both physical and verbal) through senior citizens can practice) • More composure, calmness • Friendships • Re-learning how to learn • Social events • Joy of being a beginner • A place to play • More patience • Great way to reduce stress OTHER (leave your worries off the mat) • Aesthetically pleasing • Non-judgmental atmosphere (It's a lot like dancing) • Non-competitive atmosphere • Flexibility of schedule • Self-defense MENTAL • Exposure to many related • Being disciplined about a discipline disciplines (meditation, a spiritual • Better concentration way of eating, sword practices) • Low pressure • Peaceful atmosphere • A source of learning that is never exhausted 5555 North Lamar Suite C-116 Austin, Texas 78751 512.323.0123 www.austinaikido.org Last updated September, 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Dojo holiday closing dates Welcome . 3 Mission Statements . 3 Welcome to Beginners . .4 Membership Dues / Fees. Recording practice hours . 5 Dojo Regi (etiquette) . 6-8 We honor the dojo's need for a rest in addition to our own. Basic Aikido Knowledge (Beginners' Modules) . 9-13 Notes to Beginners . 14 Aikido of Austin is closed [BLANK for NOTES] . 15 on the following dates: Service . 16 A Quick Visual Guide to Aikido Techniques . 17-32 • New Years' Eve & New Years' Day Uke’s Movements (Initiating with Grabs and Strikes) (Please check your email. Some years we have a special Grabs . 18,19 class at noon on 1/1). Strikes . 20,21 Nage’s Movements (Techniques) • Easter (Saturday and) Sunday Pins . 22-25 • Memorial Day Throws (Four Basic) . 26-28 Throws (Other) . 29 • Fourth of July Variations & Weapons . .30,31 • Labor Day Ukemi . .32,33 • Thanksgiving Day through Sunday Test Requirements . 34-41 (No children's classes that weekend. Adult classes are “open mat” 6th/5th . 37 if sponsored by 3rd kyu & above members) 4th/3rd . 38 2nd/1st . 39 • Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Shodan/Nidan . 40 Sandan & Beyond . 41 A History of Aikido . 42-45 Basic Aikido Knowledge . 46 When Aikido Gets Tough . 47-50 Glossary . 51-53 Dojo Closings . 55 Reasons to Practice . Back Cover 2 ©2019 Aikido of Austin. All Rights Reserved. www.austinaikido.org 55 Glossary Welcome to Aikido of Austin Tai Sabaki Body movement. Aikido of Austin is a Non-Profit Educational Organization with Tanto Wooden practice knife. a mission to promote Aikido as passed down from the founder, Te Hand OSensei , through his son and grandson, and through his student, Tekatana Hand blade. Sword edge of the hand, located between Tohei Shihan. Tohei Shihan, until he passed away July 2, 1999, the little finger and the forearm (also “Tegatana”). was our Sensei's instructor. Tekubi Wrist. Tenchi Heaven and earth. Tenkan Pivoting 180° or more. Nage slides or steps to Uke’s back and then turns back to back. Aikido of Austin (AOA) was founded in 1985 by Josef Birdsong, Shihan Tenshin Stepping or sliding off the line of attack and preparing (Master Instructor) . AOA belongs to the Eastern Region of the United to move forward. States Aikido Federation (USAF). The highest ranking Shihan of the Tsuki Thrust, punch. USAF is Yamada Sensei (New York). Head of the USAF. The USAF is Uchi Inside; movement inside Uke’s arm. directly connected with Hombu Dojo (Aikido World Headquarters), Uchi deshi Inner disciple; a student who lives in the dojo and acts which is located in Tokyo, Japan. as a 24 hour trainee and attendant. Ude Arm. The following is from the USAF web site at www.usaikifed.com: Udekimi Nage Arm-bar throw; type of kokyu Nage where Uke’s arm acts as a lever arm. “The main focus of the USAF is to develop and guide the practice of Uke “To receive”. A person who receives a throw, lock or Aikido as established by Hombu Dojo, to promote and develop good will, pin from Nage. The one who initiates the movements fellowship and lines of communication among its members, to standardize by an attack. kyu grading, to register dan grades with Hombu Dojo, and to establish and Ukemi The art of falling. “to receive through the body.” maintain close contact with the shihan officially dispatched as representatives Mae Ukemei are forward rolls; Ushiro Ukemi are by Hombu Dojo.” backward rolls. Ura Movement to the rear of Uke. USAF United States Aikido Federation. Ushiro Back, behind, rear. This manual is intended to help you with your introduction to both Aikido and Ushiro Ukemi Backward roll. the ways of our particular dojo. It is a work in progress. Your suggestions Ushiro waza Rear techniques; techniques applied when one is are not only welcome, but encouraged. attacked from the rear. Yudansha Singular or plural: those who hold the rank of black belt. Zanshin Unbroken spirit. The concentrated connection that remains with one’s partner even after the throw has been completed. A moment of settling and stillness at the completion of a technique. 54 3 Welcome to Beginners! Glossary During your first months of practice, we will introduce you to the basics of Mae Ukemei Forward rolls. Aikido. This will include the techniques of Aikido as a martial art, as well as Men Face or head. etiquette, history, and a quick look at the underlying philosophy. Migi Right. Misogi Purification; rights of breathing or water used to What you will learn: purify body and mind; to remove various impurities and ◆ The basic etiquette of practice, including how to bow and sit. restore our true image. OSensei considered all Aikido ◆ Correct stance and posture. techniques to be forms of misogi. ◆ The three basic ways to move in an Aikido technique. Mune Chest. ◆ Where Aikido comes from, and how it got to Texas. ◆ How to perform three basic throwing techniques, and the first Nage Throw; the person who throws. Sometimes called “Tori”. pinning technique. Nen Concentration, thought-moment, one-pointedness. Omote Movement to the front side of Uke. What you will see: Omoto Kyo Ryu Shinto religious sect followed by OSensei . ◆ Demonstrations of all the eight basic techniques, performed at full Onegai-shimasu “I make a request,” “please help me”; asking a speed by senior students, from a variety of attacks. special favor ◆ How a regular class is conducted. OSensei “The Great Teacher”. Morihei Ueshiba, founder of ◆ Two videos (A documentary about OSensei , and a demonstration by Tohei Aikido. Shihan. Should you miss these, please ask about opportunities to view them.) Rei Respect, the formal gesture of respect and gratitude used by Aikido practitioners. It is our hope that after your first few months at Aikido of Austin, you will have Reigi Etiquette or courtesy. some understanding of what it means to practice a non-violent martial art, that you will see some of what you may accomplish in time, that you will have some Seiza Formal sitting posture. familiarity with our community, and that you will find something in Aikido that Sempai Senior Student. One who has gone before and persuades you to continue with us. Most of all, we hope that you have a fun becomes a mentor. and safe time! Sensei Teacher, instructor. One who goes before. Shidoin High level teacher who has the authority to How it Works: test/promote students up to two ranks below their own. In the Beginner’s Curriculum pages in this manual, check off the items as they Ismael Rangel is Shidoin for the USAF. are covered. Bear in mind that they may not be covered in the exact order Shihan Teacher of teachers, honorary title awarded to the presented here. The curriculum, like this manual, is still being developed. highest ranking teachers. Master Instructor. Birdsong Sensei is a Shihan. As you attend classes, review this manual. Work with senior students to cover Shihonage Four direction throw. One of the four basic throws. any areas you have missed. Your focus during this initial time should be first and foremost keeping yourself safe. Ask your partner for what you need. Shikaku Literally, “dead corner.” An area outside of Uke’s strength. If you need to go more slowly, if you're ready to go a little faster, if you're Nage moves here to be safe. hurt, please let your partner know. Your wishes will be respected. Also pay Shomen Front or top of head; also the front of a dojo. attention to what challenges await you in the transition from beginner to Soto Out/outside; movement to the side of Uke. regular practitioner. Suburi A single movement using the ken or jo, done as a solo practice. There is a glossary at the back of this book to help you with the new Suwari waza Techniques done from a sitting (seiza) position.